Christopher Martin-Jenkins dies at the age of 67!

Christopher Martin-Jenkins, TMS commentator, dies
Test Match Special commentator Christopher Martin-Jenkins has died of cancer at the age of 67.
Martin-Jenkins joined the BBC in 1970 and commentated on his first match, a one-day international, in 1972.
In 1973 he succeeded Brian Johnston as the BBC's cricket correspondent, a post he held until 1991, with a break between 1981 and 1984.
He was cricket correspondent of the Daily Telegraph from 1991 to 1999 and of the Times from 1999 to 2008.

 

Continue reading the main story“It is doubtful that anyone has contributed more in a lifetime to the overall coverage of cricket than Christopher Martin-Jenkins”
He was diagnosed with cancer in January 2012, shortly after returning from commentating duties in the United Arab Emirates.
Test Match Special colleague and current BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew paid tribute to his friend.
"CMJ, as he was widely known, was one of cricket's most respected writers and broadcasters," said Agnew.
"With modern media now preferring the views and experiences of former Test match cricketers, Christopher's authority and respect was not gained from a high-profile playing career, but a deep-rooted love of the game linked to a strong protective instinct which helped him earn the most coveted position of president of the MCC [Marylebone Cricket Club].
"Listeners to Test Match Special were all too familiar with CMJ's eccentricities - like going to the wrong ground for the start of a Test match. His legendary, chaotic time-keeping was very much part of his charm.

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 Considering the years he worked as editor of the Cricketer magazine, and as correspondent for the BBC twice, the Daily Telegraph and the Times, and 40 years commentating on Test Match Special and the many books he wrote, it is doubtful that anyone has contributed more in a lifetime to the overall coverage of cricket than Christopher Martin-Jenkins."Martin-Jenkins was a useful schoolboy cricketer for Marlborough and also played for Surrey's second XI.His journalistic talents were encouraged by the legendary EW Swanton and he joined the Cricketer magazine as his assistant editor.Martin-Jenkins was given an MBE in 2009 and served as the MCC's president in 2010 and 2011.

 

His son Robin played county cricket for Sussex before retiring in 2010.Former England captain Sir Ian Botham tweeted: "Very sad to hear of the death of the 'Major', Christopher Martin-Jenkins. Our thoughts are with the family. A true Gentleman."TMS producer Adam Mountford tweeted: "A very sad day for all of us at Test Match Special. CMJ was quite simply one of the legendary characters of cricket writing and broadcasting."Wisden editor Lawrence Booth said: "RIP CMJ - a warm voice from childhood and beyond."